Power supply unit for aerosol inhaler and control method and program of power supply unit for aerosol inhaler

ABSTRACT

A power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler includes: a case; a power supply that discharges power to a load for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generation source; a discharging terminal that connects the load to the power supply; a charging terminal that connects the power supply to an external power supply and is separated from the discharging terminal; a temperature measuring unit that measures temperature of the power supply; and a control device that controls an effective value of a first charging current to a value smaller than an effective value of a second charging current. The first charging current is supplied to the power supply when a measurement value of the temperature measuring unit is equal to or higher than a first threshold and the second charging current is supplied to the power supply when the measurement value is lower than the first threshold.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/745,517 filed Jan. 17, 2020.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a power supply unit for an aerosolinhaler, and a control method and program of a power supply unit for anaerosol inhaler.

BACKGROUND ART

There is available an aerosol inhaler that includes an aerosolgeneration source, a load for generating an aerosol from the aerosolgeneration source, a power supply able to discharge power to the load,and a control unit controlling the power supply (for example, see PatentLiteratures 1 to 4).

-   [Patent Literature 1] US 2017/0250552 A1-   [Patent Literature 2] US 2015/0173124 A1-   [Patent Literature 3] JP-T-2017-518733-   [Patent Literature 4] JP-A-2017-079747

Since an aerosol inhaler is frequently used, it is required to suppressdeterioration of a power supply of the aerosol inhaler.

As a charging device for charging a power supply, a device whichperforms charging control according to the temperature of a power supplydisclosed in Patent Literatures 3 and 4 is known.

For example, in the charging device, if the temperature of the powersupply becomes high, the charging is ended to protect the power supply.

However, if the charging is ended early, the available time of anaerosol inhaler becomes shorter.

Therefore, convenience for a user is impaired.

In Patent Literatures 1 and 2, acquiring the temperature of a powersupply is disclosed, however, any specific mode of charging controlbased on the acquired temperature is not disclosed.

In Patent Literatures 3 and 4, it is disclosed that when the temperatureof the power supply is high, the charging is ended, however, any methodfor preventing the charging from being ended early is not disclosed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply unit foran aerosol inhaler, and a control method and program of a power supplyunit for an aerosol inhaler, making it possible to keep charging a powersupply for as long as possible in order to extend the available time ofan aerosol inhaler.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a powersupply unit for an aerosol inhaler, the power supply unit comprising: apower supply able to discharge power to a load for generating an aerosolfrom an aerosol generation source; a temperature measuring unitconfigured to measure temperature of the power supply; and a controldevice configured to control first power or a first amount of power tobe supplied to the power supply in a case where a measurement value ofthe temperature measuring unit is equal to or higher than a firstthreshold, to a value smaller than second power or a second amount ofpower to be supplied to the power supply in a case where the measurementvalue is lower than the first threshold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aerosol inhaler equipped with a powersupply unit of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the aerosol inhaler of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the aerosol inhaler of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the power supply unit in the aerosolinhaler of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the main part configuration ofthe power supply unit in the aerosol inhaler of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the main part circuitconfiguration of the power supply unit in the aerosol inhaler of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart illustrating the control content of a chargingcontrol unit shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the aerosolinhaler of FIG. 1 during charging of the power supply.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler according to anembodiment of the present invention will be described. First of all, anaerosol inhaler equipped with the power supply unit will be describedwith reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 .

(Aerosol Inhaler)

An aerosol inhaler 1 is a device for inhaling an aerosol containing aflavor without combustion, and has a rod shape extending along a certaindirection (hereinafter, referred to as the longitudinal direction A).The aerosol inhaler 1 includes a power supply unit 10, a first cartridge20, and a second cartridge 30 which are arranged in the order along thelongitudinal direction A. The first cartridge 20 can be attached to anddetached from the power supply unit 10. The second cartridge 30 can beattached to and detached from the first cartridge 20. In other words,the first cartridge 20 and the second cartridge 30 can be individuallyreplaced.

(Power Supply Unit)

The power supply unit 10 of the present embodiment includes a powersupply 12, a charging IC (Integrated Circuit) 55, an MCU (MicroController Unit) 50, a switch 19, a temperature sensor 17, varioussensors, and so on inside a cylindrical power supply unit case 11, asshown in FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 , FIG. 5 , and FIG. 6 . As the MCU 50, an MCUwhose shortest control cycle (the reciprocal of the maximum operationclock frequency) is longer than the shortest control cycle of thecharging IC 55 is used.

The power supply 12 is a chargeable secondary battery, an electricdouble-layer capacitor, or the like, and is preferably a lithium-ionbattery.

The temperature sensor 17 is configured, for example, with antemperature detection element whose resistance value changes accordingto temperature, specifically, an NTS (Negative Temperature Coefficient)thermistor. The temperature sensor 17 is for detecting the temperatureof the power supply 12, and is disposed close to the power supply 12.

On a top part 11 a of the power supply unit case 11 positioned on oneend side in the longitudinal direction A (the first cartridge (20)side), a discharging terminal 41 is provided. The discharging terminal41 is provided so as to protrude from the top surface of the top part 11a toward the first cartridge 20, and is configured to be able to beelectrically connected to a load 21 of the first cartridge 20. Further,on a part of the top surface of the top part 11 a in the vicinity of thedischarging terminal 41, an air supply part 42 for supplying air to theload 21 of the first cartridge 20 is provided.

On a bottom part 11 b of the power supply unit case 11 positioned on theother end side in the longitudinal direction A (the opposite side to thefirst cartridge 20), a charging terminal 43 able to be electricallyconnected to an external power supply is provided. The charging terminal43 is provided on the side surface of the bottom part 11 b, such that,for example, at least one of USB terminals, micro USB terminals, andlightning terminals (registered as a trade mark) can be connectedthereto.

However, the charging terminal 43 may be a power receiving part able toreceive power from an external power supply in a non-contact manner. Inthis case, the charging terminal 43 (the power receiving part) may becomposed of a power receiving coil. The wireless power transfer systemmay be an electromagnetic induction type, or may be a magnetic resonancetype. Also, the charging terminal 43 may be a power receiving part ableto receive power from an external power supply without any contactpoint. As another example, the charging terminal 43 may be configuredsuch that at least one of USB terminals, micro USB terminals, andlightning terminals can be connected thereto and the above-mentionedpower receiving part is included therein.

On the side surface of the top part 11 a of the power supply unit case11, an operation unit 14 which the user can operate is provided so as toface the opposite side to the charging terminal 43. More specifically,the operation unit 14 and the charging terminal 43 are symmetric withrespect to the point of intersection of a straight line connecting theoperation unit 14 and the charging terminal 43 and the center line ofthe power supply unit 10 in the longitudinal direction A. The operationunit 14 is composed of a button type switch, a touch panel, or the like.In the vicinity of the operation unit 14, an inhalation sensor 15 fordetecting puff actions are provided.

The charging IC 55 is disposed, for example, close to the chargingterminal 43, and performs control to convert power which is input froman external power supply to the charging terminal 43 into charging powerfor the power supply 12 and supply the charging power to the powersupply 12.

The MCU 50 is connected to various sensor devices such as the inhalationsensor 15 for detecting puff (inhaling) actions, a voltage sensor 16 formeasuring the power-supply voltage of the power supply 12, and atemperature sensor 17 provided to measure the temperature of the powersupply 12, the operation unit 14, a notifying unit 45, and a memory 18for storing the number of puff actions, the time for which power hasbeen applied to the load 21, and so on, as shown in FIG. 5 , andperforms a variety of control on the aerosol inhaler 1. Specifically,the MCU 50 is mainly composed of a processor, and further includesstorage media such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) necessary for theoperation of the processor and a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing avariety of information. In this specification, the processor is morespecifically an electric circuit configured by combining circuitelements such as semiconductor elements.

Also, in the power supply unit case 11, an air intake (not shown in thedrawings) for taking in air is formed. The air intake may be formedaround the operation unit 14, or may be formed around the chargingterminal 43.

(First Cartridge)

As shown in FIG. 3 , the first cartridge 20 includes a reservoir 23 forstoring an aerosol source 22, the electric load 21 for atomizing theaerosol source 22, a wick 24 for drawing the aerosol source from thereservoir 23 toward the load 21, an aerosol channel 25 for an aerosolgenerated by atomizing the aerosol source 22 to flow toward the secondcartridge 30, an end cap 26 for storing a part of the second cartridge30, inside a cylindrical cartridge case 27.

The reservoir 23 is formed so as to surround the aerosol channel 25, andholds the aerosol source 22. In the reservoir 23, a porous member suchas a resin web or cotton may be stored, and the porous member may beimpregnated with the aerosol source 22. The aerosol source 22 includes aliquid such as glycerin, propylene glycol, or water.

The wick 24 is a liquid holding member for drawing the aerosol source 22from the reservoir 23 toward the load 21 using capillarity, and isconfigured with, for example, glass fiber, a porous ceramic, or thelike.

The load 21 atomizes the aerosol source 22, without combustion, by powerwhich is supplied from the power supply 12 through the dischargingterminal 41. The load 21 is configured with a heating wire wound with apredetermined pitch (a coil). However, the load 21 needs only to be anelement capable of atomizing the aerosol source 22, thereby generatingan aerosol, and is, for example, a heating element or an ultrasonic wavegenerator. Examples of the heating element include a heating resistor, aceramic heater, an induction heating type heater, and so on.

The aerosol channel 25 is provided on the downstream side of the load 21on the center line L of the power supply unit 10.

The end cap 26 includes a cartridge storage part 26 a for storing a partof the second cartridge 30, and a connecting passage 26 b for connectingthe aerosol channel 25 and the cartridge storage part 26 a.

(Second Cartridge)

The second cartridge 30 holds a flavor source 31. An end part of thesecond cartridge 30 on the first cartridge (20) side is stored in thecartridge storage part 26 a provided in the end cap 26 of the firstcartridge 20, so as to be able to be removed. Another end part of thesecond cartridge 30 on the opposite side to the first cartridge (20)side is configured as an inhalation port 32 for the user. However, theinhalation port 32 does not necessarily need to be configured integrallywith the second cartridge 30 so as not to be separable from the secondcartridge, and may be configured to be able to be attached to anddetached from the second cartridge 30. If the inhalation port 32 isconfigured separately from the power supply unit 10 and the firstcartridge 20 as described above, it is possible to keep the inhalationport 32 sanitary.

The second cartridge 30 adds a flavor to the aerosol generated byatomizing the aerosol source 22 by the load 21, by passing the aerosolthrough the flavor source 31. As a raw material piece which constitutesthe flavor source, a compact made by forming shredded tobacco or atobacco raw material into a grain shape can be used. The flavor source31 may be configured with plants (such as mint, herbal medicines, herbs)other than tobacco. To the flavor source 31, a flavoring agent such asmenthol may be added.

The aerosol inhaler 1 of the present embodiment can generate an aerosolcontaining the flavor by the aerosol source 22, the flavor source 31,and the load 21. In other words, the aerosol source 22 and the flavorsource 31 constitute an aerosol generation source for generating anaerosol.

The aerosol generation source in the aerosol inhaler 1 is a part whichthe user can replace to use. For this part, for example, one firstcartridge 20 and one or more (for example, five) second cartridges 30can be provided as one set to the user.

The configuration of the aerosol generation source which can be used inthe aerosol inhaler 1 is not limited to the configuration in which theaerosol source 22 and the flavor source 31 are configured separately,and may be a configuration in which the aerosol source 22 and the flavorsource 31 are formed integrally, a configuration in which the flavorsource 31 is omitted and the aerosol source 22 contains a substancewhich can be contained in the flavor source 31, a configuration in whichthe aerosol source 22 contains a medical substance or the like insteadof the flavor source 31, or the like.

For an aerosol inhaler 1 including an aerosol generation sourceconfigured by integrally forming an aerosol source 22 and a flavorsource 31, for example, one or more (for example, 20) aerosol generationsources may be provided as one set to the user.

In the case of an aerosol inhaler 1 including only an aerosol source 22as an aerosol generation source, for example, one or more (for example,20) aerosol generation sources may be provided as one set to the user.

In the aerosol inhaler 1 configured as described above, as shown by anarrow B in FIG. 3 , air entering from the intake (not shown in thedrawings) formed in the power supply unit case 11 passes through the airsupply part 42, and passes near the load 21 of the first cartridge 20.The load 21 atomizes the aerosol source 22 drawn from the reservoir 23by the wick 24. The aerosol generated by atomizing flows through theaerosol channel 25 together with the air entering from the intake, andis supplied to the second cartridge 30 through the connecting passage 26b. The aerosol supplied to the second cartridge 30 passes through theflavor source 31, whereby the flavor is added, and is supplied to theinhalation port 32.

Also, in the aerosol inhaler 1, the notifying unit 45 for notifying avariety of information is provided (see FIG. 5 ). The notifying unit 45may be configured with a light emitting element, or may be configuredwith a vibrating element, or may be configured with a sound outputelement. The notifying unit 45 may be a combination of two or moreelements of light emitting elements, vibrating elements, and soundoutput elements. The notifying unit 45 may be provided in any one of thepower supply unit 10, the first cartridge 20, and the second cartridge30; however, it is preferable that the notifying unit be provided in thepower supply unit 10. For example, the area around the operation unit 14is configured to have translucency to permit light which is emitted bylight emitting elements such as LEDs to pass through.

(Electric Circuit)

Now, the details of the electric circuit of the power supply unit 10will be described with reference to FIG. 6 .

The power supply unit 10 includes, as main components, the power supply12, the temperature sensor 17, the switch 19, a positive electrode sidedischarging terminal 41 a and a negative electrode side dischargingterminal 41 b which constitute the discharging terminal 41, a positiveelectrode side charging terminal 43 a and a negative electrode sidecharging terminal 43 b which constitute the charging terminal 43, theMCU 50, the charging IC 55, resistors 61 and 62 composed of elementshaving resistance values, such as resistive elements or transistors,switches 63 and 64 composed of transistors such as MOSFETs, or the like,and a resistive element 65.

In the present embodiment, an example using “BQ24040DSQT” made by TexasInstruments Inc. as the charging IC 55 is shown; however, the chargingIC is not limited thereto. The charging IC 55 has a plurality of pinsincluding an IN pin (shown by “IN” in FIG. 6 ), an OUT pin (shown by“OUT” in FIG. 6 ), a TS pin (shown by “TS” in FIG. 6 ), a #CHG pin(shown by “#CHG” in FIG. 6 ), and an EP pin (shown by “EP” in FIG. 6 ),as pins for electrical connection with the outside. However, it shouldbe noted that in the present embodiment, only main pins of pins whichthe charging IC 55 has are disclosed.

Also, in the present embodiment, an example using “PIC16F18346” made byMicrochip Technology Inc. as the MCU 50 is shown; however, the MCU isnot limited thereto. The MCU 50 has a plurality of pins including a Vddpin (shown by “Vdd” in FIG. 6 ), an RA4 pin (shown by “RA4” in FIG. 6 ),a #RC3 pin (shown by “#RC3” in FIG. 6 ), a #RC4 pin (shown by “#RC4” inFIG. 6 ), a #RC5 pin (shown by “#RC5” in FIG. 6 ), a RB7 pin (shown by“RB7” in FIG. 6 ), and an EP pin (shown by “EP” in FIG. 6 ), as pins forelectrical connection with the outside. However, it should be noted thatin the present embodiment, only main pins of pins which the MCU 50 hasare disclosed.

The IN pin of the charging IC 55 is an input terminal for power which issupplied from the charging terminal 43 (power for generating chargingpower). The IN pin of the charging IC 55 is connected to the positiveelectrode side charging terminal 43 a.

The OUT pin of the charging IC 55 is an output terminal for the chargingpower generated by the charging IC 55. To the OUT pin of the charging IC55, a power source line 60V is connected. This power source line 60V isconnected to the positive electrode side discharging terminal 41 athrough the switch 19.

The EP pin of the charging IC 55 is a ground terminal. The EP pin of thecharging IC 55 is connected to a ground line 60E which connects thenegative electrode side charging terminal 43 b and the negativeelectrode side discharging terminal 41 b.

The #CHG pin of the charging IC 55 is a terminal for outputting chargingstate information indicating that charging is being performed, chargingis stopped, or charging has been completed. The #CHG pin of the chargingIC 55 is connected to the #RC5 pin of the MCU 50.

The TS pin of the charging IC 55 is a terminal for inputting a voltagevalue which is applied to a resistor which is connected thereto (avoltage value according to the resistance value of the correspondingresistor). From the voltage value input to the TS pin, the resistancevalue of the resistor which is connected to the TS pin (in other words,the temperature of the corresponding resistor) can be detected. When athermistor is used as a resistor which is connected to the TS pin, it ispossible to detect the temperature of the resistor which is connected tothe TS pin, from a voltage value input to the TS pin.

The charging IC 55 has a function of controlling charging voltage to beoutput from the OUT pin, based on a voltage value which is input to theTS pin. Specifically, the charging IC 55 outputs a first chargingvoltage from the OUT pin, in the case where the temperature based on thevoltage value which is input to the TS pin is lower than a thresholdTH1, and outputs a second charging voltage lower than the first chargingvoltage, in the case where the temperature is equal to or higher thanthe threshold TH1 and is lower than a threshold TH2, and performscontrol to prevent charging voltage from being output from the OUT pin,i.e. to stop charging, in the case where the temperature is equal to orhigher than the threshold TH2. The threshold TH1 is, for example, 40°C., and the threshold TH2 is, for example, 45° C.

The voltage value of the resistor which is connected to the TS pin inthe case where the temperature of the resistor becomes the threshold TH1is denoted by Vmax, and the voltage value of the resistor which isconnected to the TS pin in the case where the temperature of theresistor becomes the threshold TH2 is denoted by Vmin. In the case wherethe resistor which is connected to the TS pin is an NTC thermistor, asthe temperature of the resistor rises, the resistance value of theresistor decreases. Therefore, the relation of Vmax>Vmin is established.This should be noted. Based on the above-mentioned definition, thecharging IC 55 outputs the second charging voltage from the OUT pin, inthe case where the voltage value which is input to the TS pin isincluded in a predetermined range larger than Vmin and equal to orsmaller than Vmax, and outputs the first charging voltage from the OUTpin, in the case where the voltage value which is input to the TS pinexceeds Vmax, and stops charging in the case where the voltage valuewhich is input to the TS pin is smaller than Vmin.

To the TS pin of the charging IC 55 of the present embodiment, one endof the resistor 61 is connected. The other end of the resistor 61 isconnected to the ground line 60E. Also, to the TS pin of the charging IC55, one end of the switch 63 is connected. To the other end of theswitch 63, one end of the resistor 62 is connected. The other end of theresistor 62 is connected to the ground line 60E.

Each of the resistor 61 and the resistor 62 has a predetermined fixedresistance value. The resistor 61, and the series circuit of the switch63 and the resistor 62 are connected to the TS pin in parallel.Therefore, when the switch 63 is off (when it is nonconductive), avoltage value V1 on the resistor 61 which is caused by current flowingfrom the TS pin to the resistor 61 is input to the TS pin.

The voltage value V1 becomes a constant value since the resistance valueof the resistor 61 is a fixed value. The resistance value of theresistor 61 is determined in advance such that the voltage value V1becomes an arbitrary value in the above-mentioned performed range(larger than Vmin and equal to or smaller than Vmax). It is preferableto determine the resistance value of the resistor 61 in advance suchthat in the case where the median value of the predetermined range isVc, the voltage value V1 becomes a value closer to Vmax than to Vc. Inthis case, even if the voltage value which is input to the TS pinchanges due to noise or errors, it is possible to keep charging of thecharging IC 55 on the power supply 12. As described above, theresistance value of the resistor 61 is determined such that the voltagevalue V1 becomes a value for outputting the second charging voltage fromthe OUT pin of the charging IC 55. The resistance value of the resistor61 is specifically 4.7 kω.

Also, the resistance value of the resistor 62 is set to a valuesufficiently smaller than the resistance value of the resistor 61.Therefore, when the switch 63 is on (when it is conductive), currentpreferentially flows from the TS pin to the resistor 62, and a voltagevalue V2 on the resistor 62 which is caused by the current is input tothe TS pin.

This voltage value V2 becomes a constant value since the resistancevalue of the resistor 62 is a fixed value. The resistance value of theresistor 62 is determined in advance such that the voltage value V2becomes an arbitrary value smaller than Vmin. As described above, theresistance value of the resistor 62 is determined in advance such thatthe voltage value V2 becomes a value for stopping charging of thecharging IC 55 on the power supply 12.

However, the resistor 62 is not essential, and can be omitted. In otherwords, the other end of the switch 63 may be connected directly to theground line 60E. In this case, when the switch 63 is on, the TS pin isgrounded. Therefore, it is possible to make the voltage value to beinput to the TS pin, smaller than Vmin. Therefore, by turning on theswitch 63, it is possible to stop charging of the charging IC 55 on thepower supply 12. Also, by omitting the resistor 62, it is possible toreduce the cost and the weight.

The positive electrode side of power supply 12 is connected to the powersource line 60V, and the negative electrode side thereof is connected tothe ground line 60E. Therefore, the power supply can be charged with thecharging voltage output from the OUT pin of the charging IC 55 to thepower source line 60V.

The Vdd pin of the MCU 50 is a power supply terminal, and is connectedto the power source line 60V.

The EP pin of the MCU 50 is a ground terminal, and is connected to theground line 60E.

The RA4 pin of the MCU 50 is connected to the switch 63, and is used asa terminal for performing control to turn on and off the switch 63.

The RB7 pin of the MCU 50 is connected to the switch 19, and is used asa terminal for performing control to turn on and off the switch 19.

The #RC5 pin of the MCU 50 is used as a terminal for receiving thecharging state of the charging IC 55 from the #CHG pin of the chargingIC 55.

The #RC4 pin of the MCU 50 is connected to the switch 64, and is used asa terminal for performing control to turn on and off the switch 64. Oneend of the switch 64 is connected to the power source line 60V, and theother end thereof is connected to one end of the resistive element 65.The other end of the resistive element 65 is connected to one end of theNTC thermistor constituting the temperature sensor 17. The other end ofthe NTC thermistor constituting the temperature sensor 17 is connectedto the ground line 60E.

The #RC3 pin of the MCU 50 is used as a terminal for detecting thetemperature of the power supply 12. The #RC3 pin of the MCU 50 isconnected to the connection point between the resistive element 65 andthe temperature sensor 17.

When the switch 64 is on (when it is conductive), the voltage on thepower source line 60V is divided by the resistive element 65 and thetemperature sensor 17, and the voltage value which is applied to thetemperature sensor 17 is input to the #RC3 pin of the MCU 50. The MCU 50has a function of measuring the temperature of the power supply 12 basedon the voltage value which is input to the #RC3 pin, as will bedescribed below.

Meanwhile, when the switch 64 is off (when it is nonconductive), voltageis not supplied to the temperature sensor 17. Therefore, in this case,the MCU 50 changes to the state where it cannot acquire the temperatureof the power supply 12.

The switch 19 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor element suchas a MOSFET, and is turned on and off under the control of the MCU 50.

In the electric circuit of the power supply unit 10 shown in FIG. 6 ,the switch 19 is provided between the positive electrode side of thepower supply 12 and the positive electrode side discharging terminal 41a. Instead of this so-called plus control type, the switch 19 may be aminus control type which is provided between the negative electrode sidedischarging terminal 41 b and the negative electrode side of the powersupply 12.

(MCU)

Now, the configuration of the MCU 50 will be described in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the MCU 50 includes an aerosol generation requestdetecting unit 51, a charging control unit 52, a power control unit 53,and a temperature measuring unit 54, as functional blocks which arerealized by executing a program stored in the ROM by a processor.

The aerosol generation request detecting unit 51 detects a request foraerosol generation based on the output result of the inhalation sensor15. The inhalation sensor 15 is configured to output the value of avariation in the pressure in the power supply unit 10 (the internalpressure) caused by inhalation of the user through the inhalation port32. The inhalation sensor 15 is, for example, a pressure sensor foroutputting an output value (for example, a voltage value or a currentvalue) according to the internal pressure which varies according to theflow rate of air which is sucked from the intake (not shown in thedrawings) toward the inhalation port 32 (i.e. a puff action of theuser). The inhalation sensor 15 may be configured with a capacitormicrophone or the like.

The power control unit 53 controls discharging of the power supply 12through the discharging terminal 41 by switching on and off the switch19, if the aerosol generation request detecting unit 51 detects therequest for aerosol generation.

The power control unit 53 performs control such that the amount ofaerosol which is generated by atomizing the aerosol source by the load21 falls in a desired range, i.e. such that power or the amount of powerwhich is supplied from the power supply 12 to the load 21 falls in apredetermined range. Specifically, the power control unit 53 controlsswitching on and off of the switch 19 by, for example, PWM (Pulse WidthModulation) control. Alternatively, the power control unit 53 maycontrol switching on and off of the switch 19 by PFM (Pulse FrequencyModulation) control.

After supply of power to the load 21 starts in order to generate anaerosol, if a predetermined period passes, the power control unit 53stops supply of power from the power supply 12 to the load 21. In otherwords, even while the user is actually performing a puff action, if thepuff period exceeds a certain period, the power control unit 53 stopssupply of power from the power supply 12 to the load 21. The certainperiod is determined to suppress variation in user's puff period.

By control of the power control unit 53, the current which flows in theload 21 during one puff action becomes substantially a constant valuewhich is determined according to substantially constant effectivevoltage which is supplied to the load 21 by PWM control, and theresistance values of the discharging terminal 41 and the load 21. In theaerosol inhaler 1 of the present embodiment, when the user inhales anaerosol using one unused second cartridge 30, the cumulative time forwhich power can be supplied to the load 21 is controlled to a maximumof, for example, 120 seconds. To this end, it is possible to obtain themaximum amount of power required to empty (use up) one second cartridge30 in advance.

The temperature measuring unit 54 measures the temperature of the powersupply 12, based on the voltage value of the temperature sensor 17 whichis input to the #RC3 pin.

The charging control unit 52 controls the charging voltage to besupplied to the power supply 12, by performing control to turn on andoff the switch 63, based on the temperature of the power supply 12measured by the temperature measuring unit 54.

FIG. 7 is the timing chart illustrating the control content of thecharging control unit 52. As shown in FIG. 7 , if the temperature Tbattof the power supply 12 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold TH2(in the example of FIG. 7 , 45° C.), the charging control unit 52maintains a switch control signal to be input to the switch 63, at thehigh level, thereby maintaining the switch 63 in the ON state. When theswitch 63 is maintained in the ON state, the voltage value V2 forstopping charging is continuously input to the TS pin of the charging IC55. Therefore, charging of the power supply 12 is stopped, and thecharging current for the power supply 12 becomes zero.

In the case where the temperature Tbatt of the power supply 12 is lowerthan a threshold TH3, the charging control unit 52 maintains the switchcontrol signal to be input to the switch 63, at the low level, therebymaintaining the switch 63 in the OFF state. The threshold TH3 is a valuesmaller than the threshold TH2 and larger than the threshold TH1 (forexample, 40° C.), and in the example of FIG. 7 , the threshold TH3 is43° C. When the switch 63 is maintained in the OFF state, the voltagevalue V1 for supplying the second charging voltage is continuously inputto the TS pin of the charging IC 55. Therefore, the second chargingvoltage is supplied to the power supply 12, and the charging current forthe power supply 12 becomes a predetermined value larger than zero.

In the case where the temperature Tbatt of the power supply 12 is in arange equal to or larger than the threshold TH3 and smaller than thethreshold TH2, the charging control unit 52 performs control to switchthe switch control signal to be input to the switch 63 between the lowlevel and the high level, thereby switching the switch 63.

As shown in FIG. 7 , on the assumption that the switching cycle is apredetermined unit time T, for a time T1 which is a part of the unittime T, the charging control unit 52 performs control to maintain theswitch 63 in the ON state, and for a time T2 of the unit time T otherthan the time T1, the charging control unit performs control to maintainthe switch 63 in the OFF state. Since the switch 63 is switched underthe above-described control, the charging current for the power supply12 alternately changes between the predetermined value and zero.

When the ratio of the time T1 (the time for which control is performedto maintain the ON state) to the unit time T is defined as the dutyratio, in the state where the temperature Tbatt is lower than thethreshold TH3, control using 0% as the duty ratio is performed, and inthe state where the temperature Tbatt is equal to or higher than thethreshold TH3 and is lower than the threshold TH2, control using a dutyratio larger than 0% and smaller than 100% (in the example of FIG. 7 ,the duty ratio of 60%) is performed, and in the state where thetemperature Tbatt is higher than the threshold TH2, control using 100%as the duty ratio is performed.

By the way, if the switch 63 is controlled to be in the ON state, thecharging current for the power supply 12 becomes zero. Therefore, itshould be noted that the value obtained by subtracting the duty ratio ofthe switch 63 from 100% becomes the duty ratio of the charging current.For example, when the duty ratio of the switch 63 is 0%, the duty ratioof the charging current becomes 100%, and when the duty ratio of theswitch 63 is 60%, the duty ratio of the charging current becomes 40%. Inthe following description, unless otherwise noted, duty ratios indicatesthe duty ratios of the switch 63.

In periods when control using the duty ratio of 0% is performed,effective power (the average work amount per unit time T of the chargingcurrent) P1 which is supplied to the power supply 12 becomes a maximumvalue. In periods when control using the duty ratio larger than 0% andsmaller than 100% is performed, effective power P2 which is supplied tothe power supply 12 is a value lower than the effective power P1. Inperiods when control using the duty ratio of 100% is performed,effective power P3 which is supplied to the power supply 12 is a value(a minimum value) lower than the effective power P2. Also, the effectivepower P2 is a value obtained by subtracting the duty ratio from 100% andmultiplying the effective power P1 by the difference (in the example ofFIG. 7 , the value of 0.4 times the effective power P1).

For periods when control using a duty ratio larger than 0% and smallerthan 100% needs to be performed, as the duty ratio, a sufficiently smallvalue is set in advance such that the temperature Tbatt of the powersupply 12 does not reach the threshold TH2. As this duty ratio, a valueequal to or larger than 50% is preferable, and a value equal to orlarger than 60% is more preferable. By setting such a value, it ispossible to sufficiently reduce the possibility that the temperatureTbatt might reach the threshold TH2.

Alternatively, the charging control unit 52 may control the amount ofpower to be supplied to the power supply 12 for a predetermined period(for example, the unit time T), instead of effective power. In the casewhere the power supply unit 10 has a DC-to-DC converter and a smoothingcapacitor, the charging control unit 52 may control the amount of powerto be supplied to the power supply 12, instead of effective power. Inthis case, for example, in the predetermined period, the chargingcontrol unit 52 decreases the magnitude of the charging current whilecontinuously supplying the charging current to the power supply 12,thereby reducing the amount of power to be supplied to the power supply12 for the predetermined period. In other words, the charging controlunit controls the charging current for the power supply 12 to any one ofa predetermined value, an intermediate value smaller than thepredetermined value, and zero. In this case, in a state where thecharging current has been controlled to the predetermined value, it ispossible to make the amount of power to a maximum value, and in a statewhere the charging current has been controlled to an intermediate value,it is possible to make the amount of power to the value smaller than themaximum value, and in a state where the charging current has beencontrolled to zero, it is possible to make the amount of power to aminimum value.

The duty ratio may be a fixed value, or may be a variable changingaccording to the amount of change in the temperature Tbatt. For example,in the case where a rise per unit time T in the temperature Tbatt isequal to or larger than a predetermined value, the duty ratio is set tobe larger than that in the case where a rise per unit time is smallerthan the predetermined value. In this way, it is possible to reduce thepossibility that the temperature of the power supply 12 might reach thethreshold TH2, and extend the duration of charging of the power supply12.

Also, it is preferable that a value which is obtained by subtracting thethreshold TH3 from the threshold TH2 should be equal to or larger thanthe absolute values of errors of the temperature measuring unit 54 inmeasuring the temperature of the power supply 12. An error of thetemperature measuring unit 54 in measuring the temperature of the powersupply 12 means an error including an error in the amount of change inthe resistance value of the temperature sensor 17 according totemperature and an error in the voltage value which is input to the #RC3pin. It is preferable that such measurement errors should include gainerrors, offset errors, and hysteresis errors of the temperature sensor17. Such measurement errors are about between −2° C. and 2° C.

The MCU 50 includes a notification control unit, besides theabove-mentioned functional blocks. The notification control unitcontrols the notifying unit 45 such that the notifying unit notifies avariety of information. For example, the notification control unitcontrols the notifying unit 45 in response to detection of the timing toreplace the second cartridge 30, such that the notifying unit notifiesthe timing to replace the second cartridge 30. The notification controlunit detects and notifies the timing to replace the second cartridge 30,based on the cumulative number of puff actions or the cumulative timefor which power has been supplied to the load 21, stored in the memory18. The notification control unit is not limited to notification of thetiming to replace the second cartridge 30, and may notify the timing toreplace the first cartridge 20, the timing to replace the power supply12, the timing to charge the power supply 12, and so on.

In the state where one unused second cartridge 30 is set, if apredetermined number of puff actions are performed, or if the cumulativetime for which power has been applied to the load 21 due to puff actionsreaches a predetermined value (for example, 120 seconds), thenotification control unit determines that the second cartridge 30 isused up (i.e. the remaining amount is zero or the second cartridge isempty), and notifies the timing to replace the second cartridge 30.

Also, in the case of determining that all of the second cartridges 30included in one set are used up, the notification control unit maydetermine that one first cartridge 20 included in the single set is usedup (i.e. the remaining amount is zero or the first cartridge is empty),and notify the timing to replace the first cartridge 20.

(Power Supply Charging Operation)

The operation of the aerosol inhaler 1 having the above-describedconfiguration during charging of the power supply 12 will be describedwith reference to the flow chart of FIG. 8 .

If a charging cable is connected to the charging terminal 43, and thischarging cable is connected to an external power supply, a chargingstart signal is input from the #CHG pin of the charging IC 55 to the#RC5 pin of the MCU 50. Also, in a state before the charging startsignal is input to the #RC5 pin of the MCU 50, the switch 63 and theswitch 64 are off. In other words, if charging is started, the voltagevalue V1 according to the resistance value of the resistor 61 is inputto the TS pin of the charging IC 55, and the power supply 12 is chargedwith the second charging voltage.

After the switch control signal is input to the #RC5 pin of the MCU 50,the MCU 50 regularly measures the temperature of the power supply 12.Specifically, the MCU 50 acquires the temperature of the power supply 12in a cycle longer than the shortest control cycle of the power supplyunit (preferably, at intervals of the same time as the above-mentionedunit time T), or at a frequency lower than the maximum operationfrequency of the power supply unit, or at an operation clock frequencysmaller than the maximum operation clock frequency. When a timing toacquire the temperature of the power supply 12 comes, the MCU 50 turnson the switch 64, and acquires the temperature Tbatt of the power supply12 based on the voltage value which is input to the #RC3 pin, and turnsoff the switch 64 (STEP 51).

Then, the MCU 50 determines whether the acquired temperature Tbatt islower than the threshold TH2, or not (STEP S2). If the temperature Tbattis equal to or higher than the threshold TH2 (“NO” in STEP S2), the MCU50 maintains the switch 63 in the ON state, i.e. it performs controlusing the duty ratio of 100% (STEP S6). According to this control, thevoltage value V2 according to the resistance value of the resistor 62 isinput to the TS pin of the charging IC 55. Then, the charging IC 55stops supply of the charging voltage to the power supply 12.

After STEP S6, the MCU 50 notifies the charging IC 55 that thetemperature of the power supply 12 has reached a protection temperature(STEP S7). If the charging IC 55 receives this notification, it outputsa charging stop signal from the #CHG pin. Then, the MCU 50 receives thissignal, and returns the switch 63 to the OFF state. However, the orderof STEP S6 and STEP S7 may be reversed, or STEP S6 and STEP S7 may beperformed at the same time.

In the case where the temperature Tbatt is lower than the threshold TH2(“YES” in STEP S2), the MCU 50 determines whether the temperature Tbattis lower than the threshold TH3 (STEP S3). If the temperature Tbatt islower than the threshold TH3 (“YES” in STEP S3), the MCU 50 maintainsthe switch 63 in the OFF state, i.e. it performs control using 0% as theduty ratio (STEP S4).

In the case where the temperature Tbatt is equal to or higher than thethreshold TH3 (“NO” in STEP S3), the MCU 50 controls switching of theswitch 63, for example, using 60% as the duty ratio (STEP S5). AfterSTEP S4 and STEP S5, if the next temperature acquisition timing comes,the processing returns to STEP 51.

As described above, according to the power supply unit 10 of FIG. 6 , inthe case where the measurement value of the temperature of the powersupply 12 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold TH3, effectivepower which is supplied to the power supply 12 becomes lower than thatin the case where the temperature Tbatt is lower than the threshold TH3.Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the temperatureof the power supply 12 might reach the threshold TH2, and it is possibleto extend the time for which it is possible to continuously charge thepower supply 12. As a result, it is possible to extend the availabletime of the aerosol inhaler 1.

Also, according to the power supply unit 10 of FIG. 6 , in the casewhere the measurement value of the temperature of the power supply 12 isequal to or higher than the threshold TH2, charging of the power supply12 is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to protect the power supply 12.

Also, according to the power supply unit 10 of FIG. 6 , in the statewhere the temperature of the power supply 12 is lower than the thresholdTH3, the charging IC 55 charges the power supply 12 with the secondcharging voltage lower than the first charging voltage which is thehighest charging voltage which the charging IC can output. As describedabove, it becomes possible to continuously charge the power supply 12with a low charging voltage. Therefore, it becomes possible to suppressdeterioration of the power supply 12.

Also, according to the power supply unit 10 of FIG. 6 , it is possibleto suppress effective power to be supplied to the power supply 12 bycontrolling switching of the switch 63 while making it possible tocharge the power supply 12 with a low charging voltage as describedabove. Therefore, even in the case using an inexpensive charging IC 55,it is possible to perform high-accuracy charging control capable ofrestraining the temperature of the power supply 12 from rising.

Also, according to the power supply unit 10 of FIG. 6 , even in the caseof using a charging IC 55 which needs a variable resistor to beconnected to the TS pin when it is used, control to charge the powersupply 12 with only a low charging voltage becomes possible. Therefore,it is not necessary to newly design a charging IC for generating a lowcharging voltage, and it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost ofthe power supply unit 10.

By the way, in the power supply unit 10 of FIG. 6 , since the resistancevalue of the resistor which is connected to the TS pin of the chargingIC 55 is fixed, it is not possible to detect the temperature of thepower supply 12 by the charging IC 55. However, the MCU 50 acquires thetemperature of the power supply 12, and controls charging of the powersupply 12 based on the acquired temperature. Therefore, it is possibleto extend the duration of charging of the power supply 12, and preventdeterioration of the power supply 12 from being caused by a rise in thetemperature.

Also, the MCU 50 acquires the temperature of the power supply 12 in acycle longer than the shortest control cycle of the power supply unit.Therefore, the temperature of the power supply 12 is not acquired at anexcessive frequency, and it is possible to reduce the power consumption.Also, it is possible to use calculation resources of the MCU 50 forother purposes.

Also, the MCU 50 can perform switching between a state where thetemperature of the power supply 12 can be acquired and a state where thetemperature of the power supply 12 cannot be acquired, by controllingswitching of the switch 64. Since acquisition of the temperature becomespossible by easy control using the switch 64, it is possible to suppressthe manufacturing cost. Also, since the temperature of the power supply12 can be acquired only at timings when it is required, it is possibleto reduce the power consumption.

In the electric circuit of FIG. 6 described above, the ground line 60Eis a grounded wiring line; however, it needs only to be a wiring linehaving the lowest potential (a main negative bus line) in the powersupply unit 10, and may not be a grounded wiring line.

In this specification, at least the following inventions (1) to (19) aredisclosed. Moreover, although the corresponding constituent elements andthe like in the embodiments described above are shown in parentheses, itis not limited thereto.

(1) A power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler, the power supply unitcomprising:

a power supply (the power supply 12) able to discharge power to a load(the load 21) for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generationsource;

a temperature measuring unit (the temperature measuring unit 54)configured to measure temperature of the power supply; and

a control device (the MCU 50) configured to control first power (theeffective power P2) or a first amount of power to be supplied to thepower supply in a case where a measurement value of the temperaturemeasuring unit is equal to or higher than a first threshold (thethreshold TH3), to a value smaller than second power (the effectivepower P1) or a second amount of power to be supplied to the power supplyin a case where the measurement value is lower than the first threshold.

According to (1), in the case where the measurement value of thetemperature of the power supply is equal to or higher than the firstthreshold, the power or the amount of the power to be supplied to thepower supply decreases. Therefore, it is possible to restrain thetemperature of the power supply from rising, and it is possible toextend the time for it is possible to continuously charge the powersupply 12. As a result, it is possible to extend the available time ofthe aerosol inhaler.

(2) The power supply unit according to (1), wherein

in a case where the measurement value is equal to or higher than asecond threshold (the threshold TH2) larger than the first threshold,the control device stops charging of the power supply.

According to (2), even in the case where the charging of the powersupply is performed with low power or a small amount of power, if themeasurement value of the temperature of the power supply becomes equalto or higher than the second threshold, it is possible to stop thecharging of the power supply, so it is possible to protect the powersupply.

(3) The power supply unit according to (1) or (2), wherein

the first threshold is lower than 45° C.

According to (3), before the temperature of the power supply reaches 45°C. at which deterioration of the power supply is feared, it is possibleto reduce power or the amount of power. Therefore, it is possible toprevent deterioration of the power supply.

(4) The power supply unit according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein

the control device controls the first power or the first amount of powerto 50% or less of the second power or the second amount of power.

According to (4), it is possible to effectively restrain the temperatureof the power supply from rising.

(5) The power supply unit according to (4), wherein

the control device controls the first power or the first amount of powerto 40% or less of the second power or the second amount of power.

According to (5), it is possible to more effectively restrain thetemperature of the power supply from rising.

(6) The power supply unit according to (1), wherein

in a case where the measurement value is equal to or higher than asecond threshold (the threshold TH2) larger than the first threshold,the control device stops charging of the power supply, and in a casewhere the measurement value is equal to or higher than the firstthreshold and is lower than the second threshold, the control devicecontrols the first power or the first amount of power such that themeasurement value does not become equal to or higher than the secondthreshold.

According to (6), it is possible to prevent the temperature of the powersupply from reaching the second threshold. Therefore, it is possible toreduce the possibility that charging of the power supply might bestopped, and it is possible to keep charging for as long as possible.

(7) The power supply unit according to (1), wherein

in a case where the measurement value is equal to or higher than asecond threshold (the threshold TH2) larger than the first threshold,the control device stops charging of the power supply, and a value whichis obtained by subtracting the first threshold from the second thresholdis equal to or larger than an absolute value of an error of thetemperature measuring unit in measuring the temperature.

According to (7), even in the case where whether the real temperature isthe second threshold or not is unclear due to existence of a measurementerror, when the measurement value becomes equal to or higher than thefirst threshold, i.e. at least before the real temperature exceeds thesecond threshold, it is possible to reduce the power or the amount ofpower. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the powersupply from exceeding the second threshold, and it is possible to keepcharging for as long as possible.

(8) The power supply unit according to (1), wherein

the first threshold is 43° C. or lower, and

the control device controls the first power or the first amount of powerto 40% or less of the second power or the second amount of power.

According to (8), it is possible to reduce the power or the amount ofpower before the temperature of the power supply reaches 45° C. at whichdeterioration of the power supply is feared. Therefore, it is possibleto prevent deterioration of the power supply.

(9) The power supply unit according to any one of (1) to (8), furthercomprising:

a charger (the charging IC 55) configured to convert power which isinput, into charging power for the power supply,

wherein, among the charger and the control device, only the chargingdevice includes the temperature measuring unit.

According to (9), since the temperature of the power supply can bemeasured by the control device generally having higher processingperformance than chargers have, it is possible to accurately acquire thetemperature at high frequency, and it becomes possible to performhigh-accuracy control on charging and discharging, using the acquiredtemperature.

(10) The power supply unit according to (9), wherein

the control device performs control on switching between a state wherethe temperature of the power supply can be acquired and a state wherethe temperature of the power supply cannot be acquired.

According to (10), since the temperature of the power supply can beacquired at timings when the temperature is required, it is possible toreduce the power consumption. Also, it is possible to use calculationresources of the control device for other purposes. Further, it ispossible to improve the accuracy of control using the temperature of thepower supply.

(11) The power supply unit according to (9) or (10), wherein

the charger includes an information input part (the TS pin) and isconfigured to be able to supply one of a first charging voltage and asecond charging voltage lower than the first charging voltage to thepower supply, based on an input value which is input from theinformation input part,

a fixed value (the voltage value V1) which is predetermined as one inputvalue can be input to the information input part, and the fixed value isa value for supplying the second charging voltage to the power supply.

According to (11), in a state where the fixed value is being input tothe information input part, it is possible to charge the power supplywith the second charging voltage lower than the first charging voltage.For example, by realizing a state where the fixed value is continuouslyinput to the information input part, it becomes possible to continuouslycharge the power supply with a low charging voltage, and it becomespossible to suppress deterioration of the power supply.

(12) The power supply unit according to (11), further comprising:

a switch (the switch 63) able to perform switching between a state wherethe fixed value is input to the information input part and a state wherethe fixed value is not input to the information input part, wherein thecontrol device controls power to be supplied to the power supply, bycontrolling switching on and off of the switch.

According to (12), it is possible to input values other than the fixedvalue to the information input part. For example, by turning on theswitch, it is possible to perform charging with the second chargingvoltage such that the first power or the first amount of power issupplied to the power supply, and by turning off the switch, it ispossible to stop charging with the second charging voltage. Therefore,it becomes possible to supply the second power or the second amount ofpower smaller than the first power or the first amount of power, byalternately and repeatedly turning on and off the switch.

(13) The power supply unit according to (12), wherein

in the state where the fixed value is not input to the information inputpart, the switch causes the charger to input a value (the voltage valueV2) for stopping charging of the power supply, to the information inputpart.

According to (13), by turning on the switch, it is possible to performcharging with the second charging voltage such that the first power orthe first amount of power is supplied to the power supply, and byturning off the switch, it is possible to stop charging with the secondcharging voltage. Therefore, it becomes possible to supply the secondpower or the second amount of power smaller than the first power or thefirst amount of power, by alternately and repeatedly turning on and offthe switch. Also, in the case where the temperature of the power supplyis such high that protection of the power supply is required, it ispossible to input the value for stopping charging of the power supply tothe information input part, thereby protecting the power supply.

(14) The power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler according to (12) or(13), wherein

the input value is a value related to voltage to be applied to aresistor which is connected to the information input part,

the power supply unit includes a fixed resistor (the resistor 61) havinga fixed resistance value and connected to the information input part,

the switch is provided between the information input part and a mainnegative bus line or a ground line (the ground line 60E), and

the information input part and the main negative bus line or the groundline are directly connected by the switch, whereby the fixed value isnot input to the information input part.

According to (14), since the information input part and either the mainnegative bus line or the ground line are directly connected, it ispossible to make the voltage-related values to be input to theinformation input part, into sufficiently small values. In the case ofusing, as the charger, one having a function of stopping charging if avalue which is input to the information input part becomes smaller thana threshold, in the corresponding state, it is possible to stop thecharger from charging, so it is possible to protect the power supply.

(15) A power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler, the power supply unitcomprising:

a power supply (the power supply 12) able to discharge power to a load(load 21) for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generation source;

a charger (the charging IC 55) configured to convert power which isinput, into charging power for the power supply; and

a control device (the MCU 50) configured to perform first control forstopping the charger from supplying power to the power supply and secondcontrol for making the charger supply power to the power supply,

wherein the control device controls a ratio (the duty ratio) of a periodwhen the first control is performed and a period when the second controlis performed in a predetermined unit time (the unit time T).

According to (15), by only controlling the ratio of the period when thefirst control is performed and the period when the second control in thepredetermined unit time, it is possible to control effective power to besupplied to the power supply. Therefore, even in the case of using aninexpensive charger, it is possible to perform high-accuracy chargingcontrol. For example, by controlling the above-mentioned ratio accordingto the temperature of the power supply, it becomes possible to restrainthe temperature of the power supply from rising, and it is possible tokeep charging the power supply for as long as possible.

(16) A control method of a power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler, thecontrol method comprising:

a temperature measuring step of measuring temperature of a power supply(the power supply 12) able to discharge power to a load (the load 21)for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generation source; and

a step of controlling first power or a first amount of power to besupplied to the power supply in a case where a measurement value of thetemperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold, to a valuesmaller than second power or a second amount of power to be supplied tothe power supply in a case where the measurement value is lower than thefirst threshold.

(17) A control program of a power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler formaking a computer perform:

a temperature measuring step of measuring temperature of a power supply(the power supply 12) able to discharge power to a load (the load 21)for generating an aerosol from an aerosol generation source; and

a step of controlling first power or a first amount of power to besupplied to the power supply in a case where a measurement value of thetemperature is equal to or higher than a first threshold, to a valuesmaller than second power or a second amount of power to be supplied tothe power supply in a case where the measurement value is lower than thefirst threshold.

(18) A control method of a power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler, thepower supply unit including a power supply (the power supply 12) able todischarge power to a load (load 21) for generating an aerosol from anaerosol generation source, and a charger (the charging IC 55) configuredto convert power which is input, into charging power for the powersupply, the control method comprising:

a control step of performing first control for stopping the charger fromsupplying power to the power supply and second control for making thecharger supply power to the power supply,

wherein the control step controls a ratio (the duty ratio) of a periodwhen the first control is performed and a period when the second controlis performed in a predetermined unit time (the unit time T).

(19) A control program of a power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler,the power supply unit including a power supply (the power supply 12)able to discharge power to a load (load 21) for generating an aerosolfrom an aerosol generation source, and a charger (the charging IC 55)configured to convert power which is input, into charging power for thepower supply, the control program for making a computer perform:

a control step of performing first control for stopping the charger fromsupplying power to the power supply and second control for making thecharger supply power to the power supply,

wherein the control step controls a ratio (the duty ratio) of a periodwhen the first control is performed and a period when the second controlis performed in a predetermined unit time (the unit time T).

What is claimed is:
 1. A power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler, thepower supply unit comprising: a case; a power supply which is able todischarge power to a load for generating an aerosol from an aerosolgeneration source and which is stored in the case; a dischargingterminal configured to connect the load to the power supply; a chargingterminal configured to connect the power supply to an external powersupply and to be separate from the discharging terminal; a temperaturemeasuring unit stored in the case to measure temperature of the powersupply; and a control device configured to control an effective value ofa first charging current to a value smaller than an effective value of asecond charging current, wherein the first charging current is suppliedto the power supply in a case where a measurement value of thetemperature measuring unit is equal to or higher than a first thresholdand the second charging current is supplied to the power supply in acase where the measurement value is lower than the first threshold. 2.The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein the temperaturemeasuring unit is stored in the case so as to be close to the powersupply.
 3. The power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein in a casewhere the measurement value is equal to or higher than a secondthreshold larger than the first threshold, the control device stopscharging of the power supply.
 4. The power supply unit according toclaim 1, wherein the first threshold is lower than 45° C.
 5. The powersupply unit according to claim 1, wherein the control device controlsfirst power or a first amount of power that is supplied to the powersupply in a case where the measurement value is equal to or higher thanthe first threshold to 50% or less of second power or a second amount ofpower that is supplied to the power supply in a case where themeasurement value is lower than the first threshold.
 6. The power supplyunit according to claim 5, wherein the control device controls the firstpower or the first amount of power to 40% or less of the second power orthe second amount of power.
 7. The power supply unit according to claim1, wherein in a case where the measurement value is equal to or higherthan a second threshold larger than the first threshold, the controldevice stops charging of the power supply, and in a case where themeasurement value is equal to or higher than the first threshold and islower than the second threshold, the control device controls first poweror a first amount of power that is supplied to the power supply in acase where the measurement value is equal to or higher than the firstthreshold such that the measurement value does not become equal to orhigher than the second threshold.
 8. The power supply unit according toclaim 1, wherein the first threshold is 43° C. or lower, and the controldevice controls first power or a first amount of power that is suppliedto the power supply in a case where the measurement value is equal to orhigher than the first threshold to 40% or less of second power or asecond amount of power that is supplied to the power supply in a casewhere the measurement value is lower than the first threshold.
 9. Thepower supply unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a chargerconfigured to convert power which is input, into charging power for thepower supply, wherein, among the charger and the control device, onlythe control device includes the temperature measuring unit.
 10. Thepower supply unit according to claim 9, wherein the control deviceperforms control on switching between a state where the temperature ofthe power supply is acquirable and a state where the temperature of thepower supply is not acquirable.
 11. A power supply unit for an aerosolinhaler, the power supply unit comprising: a power supply able todischarge power to a load for generating an aerosol from an aerosolgeneration source; a discharging terminal configured to connect the loadto the power supply; a charging terminal configured to connect the powersupply to an external power supply and to be separate from thedischarging terminal; a temperature measuring unit configured to measuretemperature of the power supply; and a control device configured tocontrol an effective value of a first charging current to a valuesmaller than an effective value of a second charging current, whereinthe first charging current is supplied to the power supply in a casewhere a measurement value of the temperature measuring unit is equal toor higher than a first threshold and the second charging current issupplied to the power supply in a case where the measurement value islower than the first threshold, wherein in a case where the measurementvalue is equal to or higher than a second threshold larger than thefirst threshold, the control device stops charging of the power supply,and a value which is obtained by subtracting the first threshold fromthe second threshold is equal to or larger than an absolute value of anerror of the temperature measuring unit in measuring the temperature.12. A power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler, the power supply unitcomprising: a power supply able to discharge power to a load forgenerating an aerosol from an aerosol generation source; a dischargingterminal configured to connect the load to the power supply; a chargingterminal configured to connect the power supply to an external powersupply and to be separate from the discharging terminal; a temperaturemeasuring unit configured to measure temperature of the power supply; acontrol device configured to control an effective value of a firstcharging current to a value different from an effective value of asecond charging current, wherein the first charging current is suppliedto the power supply in a case where a measurement value of thetemperature measuring unit is equal to or higher than a first thresholdand the second charging current is supplied to the power supply in acase where the measurement value is lower than the first threshold; acharger configured to convert power, which is input from the chargingterminal, into charging power for the power supply, wherein the chargerincludes an information input part and is configured to be able tochange an effective value of a charging current that is supplied to thepower supply based on an input which is input from the information inputpart, among the charger and the control device, only the control deviceacquires the temperature measured by the temperature measuring unit, andthe control device changes inputs to the information input part based onthe temperature to control the effective value of the charging currentthat is supplied to the power supply.